UNC prevails against Minnesota, 19-17, despite losing quarterback Max Johnson
North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson (14) prepares to throw the ball during the first half of the University of North Carolina game against University of Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
MINNEAPOLIS — When graduate signal-caller Max Johnson went down in the third quarter, he didn’t get up.
He clutched his right knee. He grimaced. The SEC transfer was twisted up in what would’ve been his third time getting sacked (if not for the Minnesota holding penalty), and it was one time too many.
Johnson was soon carted off the field. Sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell replaced him. But UNC’s offensive leader remained unchanged.
Thanks to Noah Burnette’s four second-half field goals, North Carolina (1-0) defeated Minnesota (0-1), 19-17, its season opener on Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. In UNC’s first game without Drake Maye or Sam Howell since 2018, Burnette allowed the Tar Heels to squeak by in a chaotic game.
“Every time he went up there, I was just thinking, ‘He does this every day in practice,’” senior linebacker Power Echols said, later adding, “Noah just goes up there and knocks it through like it’s nothing.”
Burnette is now 13-for-13 on field goals of 40 or more yards. The graduate student even extended his range, completing a career-high 52-yarder.
The Tar Heels needed everything Burnette could give on Thursday.
Johnson threw for just 28 yards after two quarters — the fewest for North Carolina in a first half since 2019. And now, with his injury, the Tar Heels’ quarterback conundrum has been thrown into an even deeper spiral.
At the time of publication, UNC Football has yet to clarify the extent of Johnson’s injury.
North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson (14) is sacked in a play that is later called back during the first half of the University of North Carolina game against University of Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. UNC won 19-17.
“I thought he was getting his confidence and coming into his own in the third quarter when he got hurt,” head coach Mack Brown said. “We’re not sure how badly he’s hurt. He’s at the hospital with his parents and we will wait. He’s in our thoughts and prayers for sure.”
After a months-long wait, Johnson — the transfer from Texas A&M and LSU — earned the start at signal-caller for North Carolina. A quarterback keeper early in the second quarter put the Tar Heels up 7-0.
He followed that up with a near pick-six on the first play of the next drive. Johnson targeted senior tight end Bryson Nesbit downfield and the deep pass was caught — by Minnesota defensive back Justin Walley.
The Golden Gopher ran, tip-toed the sideline and traversed through the Tar Heels for 70 yards. Minnesota graduate running back Marcus Major rushed up the middle shortly thereafter to tie the game at 7-7.
Minnesota piled on another touchdown less than three minutes later. Quarterback Max Brosmer, the transfer from New Hampshire, marched the Golden Gophers down the field in nine plays — capped off with a keeper of his own to put Minnesota up 14-7 at the half.
The third quarter was far more stagnant.
Burnette’s 29-yard field goal cut North Carolina’s deficit to four at 14-10. A 52-yarder — the longest field goal of Burnette’s career — at the end of the quarter brought UNC within one. Then, in the fourth quarter, Burnette booted his third field goal of the night to put the Tar Heels up by two.
“A lot of people have questioned my distance and my range,” Burnette said of his 52-yard field goal. “It felt good to get that one under the belt.”
On the next drive, Minnesota added a field goal of its own to reclaim the lead. Burnette answered once again with a 45-yard field goal, this time putting UNC up, 19-17.
North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Ty White (0) and running back Omarion Hampton (28) celebrate a 19-17 win against the University of Minneapolis at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
The Golden Gophers had another field goal chance of their own, from 47 yards, in the game’s waning seconds. The ball hooked far right. The Tar Heels rushed the field as their season-opening victory was confirmed.
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Shelby Swanson is the 2023-24 sports editor at The Daily Tar Heel. She has previously served as an assistant sports editor and senior writer. Shelby is a junior pursuing a double major in media and journalism and Hispanic literatures and cultures.
